Grays Athletic F.C.
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Matches

Walton Casuals 3 Grays Athletic 5 (Pre Season Friendly)
Tue, July 29, 2008. Kick off: 7:45 PM

Match Report by Michael Casey

It took their time but Grays produced a classy performance to overwhelm Walton Casuals 5-3.

That isn‘t to say that lessons weren‘t learnt for all Grays players as they struggled to find their rhythm against the Surrey side.

Grays started well.Once again the team displayed a lovely passing game and a tremendous degree of patience. The players seemed atuned to this template.

Barry Cogan once again impressed in midfield and seemed to be the key link between midfield and attack. Charlie Ide and Steffan Bailey seemed unsettled. This may have been their last audition for a starting berth and their lack of control and distribution may prove costly to them.

Grays took the lead through a free header for Jon Ashton in the 19th minute. The Stags repaid the compliment four minutes later when the impressive Tyson scored from close range.

Grays tightened up . Bodlkin and Campana found it hard to impose themselves. Worse was to come when Jamie Stuart conceded a penalty in the 28th minute which Chris Kyanga converted.

Fortunately Danny Kedwell continued to maintain his high standard as he jabbed away up front. In the 38th minute he was fouled on the edge of the area. Poor marking let Charlie Ide in to level the score.

The team remained on the pitch at half time. The coaches calmly lectured the players and they came out of the blocks. They closed down Walton without stifling the game. In the 58th minute, Danny Kedwell forced the defender into a mistake on the edge of the box, dispossesed him and looped the ball over the keeper.

In the 70th minute, Grays underlined their class when Jamie Taylor produced a wonderful overhead kick to make it 4-2.. Walton started to bicker and Grays did well to keep their calm.

Casuals came briefly back to life with a quicksilver move and shot by Matthew Weston. Grays simply came back with a well worked move involving Jamie Taylor and Charlie Ide that left Ishmael Welsh with a simple tap in to seal the match 5-3.

After the game Tim O‘Shea said: “We are expected to win these games and sometimes the players over-elaborate. Concentration is key and thye were reminded at half time. But we did our job and continued to play the way we want. They say the more direct teams will sort us out but we will see.”

With one more friendly, Grays will be encouraged by their progress. This may be a style of play that will depend on “scoring one more than you” and the credentials will be properly examined. Can this style of play be sustained over a whole season against durable premier defences?

Goalscorers: Ashton, Ide, o.g. Taylor, Welsh